Obituary published on Legacy.com by Bevis Funeral Home – Tallahassee on Feb. 24, 2024.
Betty Ann Safley, affectionately known as “B.A.” by her friends and family and “Mimi” by her grandchildren, was born on February 7, 1949, in Milan, Tennessee, to Lewis and Nell Eichholt. The family soon moved to Greeneville, Tennessee.
Family members who continue to commemorate and celebrate B.A. include her daughter, Lauren Safley Barnard (Chris) and grandchildren Collins and Baylor; her son, Brad Safley (Ramsey) and grandchildren Baker, Brooks, Ainsley, and Saylor; and her brother, Lewis “Dusty” Eichholt (Merrie) and their children Dustin and Kaylie. There was a sparkle and glow within B.A. as she raised her remarkable
and devoted children with love, affection, and strength.
Upon graduating from Greeneville High School in 1967 and earning an AA degree from Stephens College in Missouri, she went on to earn a degree from Florida State University and became a forever fan of the Seminoles. B.A. then moved to Miami, Florida to embark on a career in fashion merchandizing and
eventually settled in the Tampa Bay and Clearwater area to raise her family and move forward with her career.
There were no strangers in B.A.’s world, her gift of friendship was given freely and sincerely, friendships were never bound by age or location and included thosewhom she had known since childhood. Colleagues and acquaintances quickly became devoted friends. Her willingness to serve and her dynamic personality
eventually led her to The Morton Plant Mease Foundation as Director of North County Development and then as Director of Care Coordination. For more than two decades she served as the Director of Philanthropy, raising millions of dollars for the Florida Suncoast Hospice Foundation in Clearwater, Florida.
B.A. was gifted with a dynamic and loving personality while committed to her faith and her community by serving others. She was a devoted and faithful member of Heritage United Methodist Church in Clearwater for more than 20 years.
Genuinely loved by all who knew her, we will remember the many stories B.A. left behind and the lives she touched while she was with us; she will be missed and held forever in our hearts.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm on Thursday, February 29, 2024, at Bevis Funeral Home in Tallahassee. A Celebration of B.A.’s life will take place at Faith Presbyterian Church on Friday, March 1, 2024, at 11:00 am with interment following at Roselawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Florida Suncoast Hospice Foundation 5771 Roosevelt Blvd., Clearwater, Fl. 33760, or Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32308.
Kelly Barber of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the Safley family with their arrangements.
